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Southern Living Plant Collection

Florida Sunshine Illicium

21 Reviews
| 1 answered question
$36.98
  • Chartreuse golden, fragrant foliage
  • Matures to 3' wide by 4-5' tall
  • Hardy in USDA Zones 6 - 9
  • Plant in shade to part shade
Pot size

Description

The Florida Sunshine Illicium, also known as the Yellow Anise tree, is an eye-catching evergreen shrub that brings a warm and vibrant feeling into your garden. Mature plants reach an average size of 4 - 5 ft in height and 3 feet in width and has a dense growth habit which is unique to this cultivar as the others are much larger in size. There are no flowers with this shrub, but the beautiful foliage and stems that develop deep red hue will provide you with year-round interest! Florida Illicium is a wonderful foundation hedge or a privacy screen and even does well when grown in containers.

Florida Sunshine Illicium Care

Florida Sunshine is hardy from USDA Zones 7-9 and prefers full shade to part shade locations. The leaves of the Illicium scorch easily scorched so it is best to avoid full sun at all costs. Additionally, this is NOT a drought tolerant plant therefore it requires moist, rich soil.

During the first growing season water your Illicium 2-3 times per week. After your shrub has been established, provide supplemental watering 1-2 times a week.

Florida Sunshine Illicium Pruning and Fertilizing

Although it is not a necessity you may want to consider pruning your shrub. Whether you are wanting a certain shape, size or you are just looking to promote healthy growth pruning will help you achieve any of the above. When pruning, do so in the late fall after blooming has come to an end. As with all pruning start with the removal of dead limbs cutting them back to their origin and then move on to cutting back any unsightly shoots that disrupt the natural shape of the plant or shrub.

If desired, Florida Sunshine can even be pruned into tree form. We recommend waiting until it has reached 5 feet tall or higher before doing so, but by removing the lower branches. Remove a branch, step back to access and continue to do so until you are satisfied with the results achieved.

Fertilize yearly in the spring with a balanced, acidic plant fertilizer. For more rapid growth, reapply fertilizer every few months during the growing season.

Care & Use

Getting Started: Understanding Your New Plant

Review your plant's information on our website or the tag that comes with it. Be mindful of sunlight preferences, soil type, and spacing needs.

Our plants are adaptable but grow best in the correct USDA Zones. Click here to learn more about your USDA Zone.

Planting Instructions

Dig a Hole

First, dig a hole three times the width of the root ball of your plant. This makes it easier for the root system to spread out quickly. Dig the hole deep enough that your plant will sit level with or slightly above the ground around it.

Amend Your Soil

Mix your native soil with rich gardening soil to provide extra nutrients and support plant growth. If your soil is clay-heavy, we recommend mixing your native clay soil with equal parts of Pine Bark mulch to improve drainage and the overall breathability of your soil.

Place Your Plant

Examine the roots. If they appear tightly bound, gently coax them apart; this ensures they can spread into the new soil. Place your plant in the hole so the top of the rootball is even with the surrounding soil—Backfill around it with the amended soil mixture. The roots need access to oxygen for your plant to thrive, so do not cover the rootball; place soil around it.

Mulch Your Plants

Top the soil beneath your plant with 3-4 inches of mulch to help it retain moisture. Be careful not to cover the rootball - your new plants roots need access to oxygen.

Water Your Plant

Soak the plant with a hose afterward to hydrate the plant, as well as get the soil and mulch situated. Develop a regular watering schedule based on your plant's needs and local weather patterns. Remember, over watering is just as, if not more, harmful than under watering.

Spacing Recommendations

Florida Sunshine Spacing Recommendations

Plant your Florida Sunshine 2-3 feet apart for a seamless planting, Otherwise, space them 5+ feet apart for gaps between plants.

  • Scientific Name
    Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'
  • Hardiness Zone
    7, 8, 9
  • Sun Exposure
    Shade to Part Shade
  • Evergreen or Deciduous
    Evergreen
  • Features
    Deer Resistant, Disease Tolerant, Winter / Fall Foliage Color
  • Feature Color
    Green, Yellow
  • Uses
    Foundation Planting, Hedge, Mass Planting, Mixed Garden Bed, Woodland Garden
  • Water Needs
    Medium
  • Bloom Season
    Spring

Growing Zones : 7, 8, and 9

Map of USDA Zones 7-9
Southern Living Plant Collection Nandinas planted in a container with heucherella in front of a fireplace

Southern Living Plants

A collection of shrubs, trees, and perennials selected by plant experts to thrive in the heat of the South. Find traditional varieties like camellias mixed with new landscape favorites like agapanthus. These varieties have been bread to tackle landscape challenges specific to the region.

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bright green nearly yellow foliage vertical growth in a 2-gallon southern living brown pot
Southern Living Plant Collection

Florida Sunshine Illicium

$36.98

The Florida Sunshine Illicium, also known as the Yellow Anise tree, is an eye-catching evergreen shrub that brings a warm and vibrant feeling into your garden. Mature plants reach an average size of 4 - 5 ft in height and 3 feet in width and has a dense growth habit which is unique to this cultivar as the others are much larger in size. There are no flowers with this shrub, but the beautiful foliage and stems that develop deep red hue will provide you with year-round interest! Florida Illicium is a wonderful foundation hedge or a privacy screen and even does well when grown in containers.

Florida Sunshine Illicium Care

Florida Sunshine is hardy from USDA Zones 7-9 and prefers full shade to part shade locations. The leaves of the Illicium scorch easily scorched so it is best to avoid full sun at all costs. Additionally, this is NOT a drought tolerant plant therefore it requires moist, rich soil.

During the first growing season water your Illicium 2-3 times per week. After your shrub has been established, provide supplemental watering 1-2 times a week.

Florida Sunshine Illicium Pruning and Fertilizing

Although it is not a necessity you may want to consider pruning your shrub. Whether you are wanting a certain shape, size or you are just looking to promote healthy growth pruning will help you achieve any of the above. When pruning, do so in the late fall after blooming has come to an end. As with all pruning start with the removal of dead limbs cutting them back to their origin and then move on to cutting back any unsightly shoots that disrupt the natural shape of the plant or shrub.

If desired, Florida Sunshine can even be pruned into tree form. We recommend waiting until it has reached 5 feet tall or higher before doing so, but by removing the lower branches. Remove a branch, step back to access and continue to do so until you are satisfied with the results achieved.

Fertilize yearly in the spring with a balanced, acidic plant fertilizer. For more rapid growth, reapply fertilizer every few months during the growing season.

Pot size

  • 2 Gallon
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